Not the race I wanted, but damn proud I got it done.
Halfway through KLH, I was ready to bail at the checkpoint. Cramps slammed me again – just like two years ago – despite a smart, conservative start locked in Zone 2. The lead-up week was chaos: travel, late-night calls, constant stress. Not the prep you want heading into a competitive ultra. But this time, I refused to stop. My boy was at those aid stations, eyes wide, believing in me. I couldn't let him down. More than that, I couldn't let the example slip. So I kept moving – through the cramps, the doubt, the endless grind – because finishing isn't about speed or glory. It's about showing what real endurance looks like when it hurts most. I run these miles so my boy will know that when life gets hard, you don't quit – you dig deeper, you keep moving, and you finish what you started. For him, and for the father I want to be in his eyes. And when the pain hit hardest and my mind screamed to stop, I remembered who's watching. Your quit today becomes his excuse tomorrow. Stay hard – for you, for your kids. That fire got me across the line. The suffering faded, replaced by hugging my son and knowing I proved resilience isn't just words – it's action.
Not the dream race, but a day that matters. One he'll carry with him. Stay hard!
#HK100 #StayHard #EnduranceMindset #ultrarunning #trailrunning nevergiveup UltraDad
Big shootout to N8 and @wettstein_manuela for the fantastic support bestcrewever and to all the volunteers @hk100ultra .
Thanks to @uglowsport and @t8.run for the great gear and @bix_nutrition for fueling me.
📷 @kenluike
📷 @traild.a.d
📷 @wettstein_manuela
🎥 @hk100ultra
